Healthcare program for kids launched in Lanao

MARAWI CITY: A healthcare program that would protect vulnerable school children from common diseases and illnesses through daily hygiene activities and improved sanitation and water safety was launched on April 22 at the Lanao del Sur provincial capitol complex.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., Department of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Jennylyn B. Aguinaldo, program manager of Fit for School Inc. ness for School Inc. was also signed during the launching of the Essential Health Care Program.

Provincial government official Nabel Braem Guiama said Lanao del Sur will provide the funding to facilitate the program together with partner agencies and various stakeholders.

He said children in participating elementary schools and day care centers will receive soaps, toothbrushes and toothpastes for their daily hygiene activities. Deworming will also be conducted twice a year.

The province will also assist the DepEd-ARMM in improving access to water supply and sanitation services of all schools in the region.

He said that surveys show 97 percent of Filipino children have dental carries, 67 percent suffer from intestinal worms, 30 percent are malnourished and that diarrhea/gastroenteritis is the major cause of child mortality in the one to four and five to nine age brackets.